Some old Cocks Photographic studio-style photos on display at the Kiama Pilot’s Cottage have confirmed the age of the Kiama Blowhole Tennis Courts (right next door)as around 1892.
Check out the size of the Norfolk Pine next to the courts in 1892 and later in 2009.
The view above clearly shows the two surfaces and a shelter, in exactly the same spots as the current two tennis surfaces and the clubhouse!
‘In William A. Bayley’s ‘ Blue Haven’- the History of Kiama Municipality, it is recorded that ‘Lawn Tennis’ as it was called, reached Kiama in 1892 when two courts were made in the excavation left from the harbour works on Blowhole Point. Other courts were located at the rear of the Christ Church (Anglican) – built of concrete, and at the front of the Catholic Church adjacent to Manning Street. The Catholic courts were of ant-bed and were superbly maintained by Jim Flynn. They were removed in 1963 with the building of the new church. Another was located at the rear of Kiama Hospital for the use of Hospital staff, most of whom lived-in at the Nurses and Sisters Quarters. These courts were often made available to other clubs whose courts were undergoing repair. The Blowhole courts had become neglected during the second world-war but were rebuilt and reopened in 1963′
This is from
http://www.kiamatennis.org.au/downloads/kiamatennis_50th.pdf
The Blowhole Tennis club is going through some changes (may even add ‘heritage’ to the name!) with a new lease, and a recent grant of $5175 from the NSW State Government http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/grants/cap_projects.asp
to resurface the tennis court
http://www.kiamaindependent.com.au/article/sporting_groups_to_upgrade_courts_with_grants_cash/
and apparently considering lobbying for a heritage plaque (as part of the Kiama Heritage Walk) overlooking the courts, and maybe even an annual Heritage Tennis Tournament, complete with old uniforms and equipment. Rather like this one in Melbourne!
Heritage Tennis Club
Bakers Road, Dandenong North, VIC 3175
p: (03) 9795 9210
